struthiomimus

years ago, with fossils found in the Hell Creek Formation and other sites like the Dinosaur Park Formation. Its name, meaning "ostrich mimic," reflects its striking resemblance to modern ostriches, with a lightweight, bipedal body stretching up to 4.3 meters long and weighing approximately 150-300 kilograms. Built for speed, Struthiomimus had long, slender hind limbs, likely reaching speeds of 50 km/h to escape predators like Tyrannosaurus rex. Its small, toothless beak, large eyes, and long arms with clawed hands suggest an omnivorous diet, feeding on plants, fruits, insects, and small animals. This adaptability allowed it to thrive in the diverse floodplain ecosystems of the Late Cretaceous, alongside contemporaries like Triceratops and Thescelosaurus.

Evidence from well-preserved fossils, including partial skeletons and feather impressions, indicates Struthiomimus was likely covered in downy feathers, used for insulation or display, reinforcing its bird-like characteristics. Its long arms, the longest of any known ornithomimid, were likely used for foraging, grasping vegetation, or capturing small prey. The toothless beak suggests it relied on a varied diet, potentially pecking at low-lying plants or scavenging. Living in the subtropical forests and river systems of Hell Creek, Struthiomimus navigated a dynamic environment rich with ferns, cycads, and angiosperms. Its classification within the Ornithomimidae family ties it to relatives like Ornithomimus, but its agility and opportunistic feeding habits set it apart as a versatile survivor in the final millennia before the K-T extinction event.